Fansided

1 trade every NHL team should make

By Dave Stevenson

Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; A general view of the NHL shield logo before the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; A general view of the NHL shield logo before the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators entered the 2016-17 NHL season with very high hopes. Many thought they were Stanley Cup favorites. However, a slow start has put their high hopes in jeopardy. They have other issues as well, but outside of November, starting goaltender Pekka Rinne has not performed well. In October, he had a save percentage of .906. So far in December, as of Dec. 23, he has a .866 save percentage. That’s simply not good enough to win a Stanley Cup.

The Predators need at least a better backup goaltender who can also handle the load should Rinne not perform well in the playoffs. Maybe the Calgary Flames will be willing to part with goaltender Chad Johnson?

This deal is contingent on the Flames realizing they aren’t contenders. Calgary needs to stockpile draft picks and take advantage of a goalie market which should be a seller’s market. Johnson has quietly been arguably the best backup goaltender in hockey since the start of the 2015-16 season. At times this season, he has carried the Flames. Johnson can serve either as the backup or as the starter. While he has never started in the playoffs, the Predators can’t afford to go into the playoffs with no “Plan B” in case something happens to Rinne. Johnson is the best “Plan B” available.

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